No abstract available.
Hand ; Hyperplasia

Nitric oxide (NO) induces apoptotic cell death in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. To elucidate the roles of SEK1/MKK4, a upstream kinase for both c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) and p38 kinase, on NO-induced apoptosis, we generated clones of RAW 264.7 cells which stably overexpressd kinase inactive SEK1 (RAW/SEK1-Kl) or wild type SEK1 (RAW/SEK1-WT). Treatment of kinase inactive SEK1 transfected RAW 264.7 cells (RAW/SEK1-Kl) with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO generating agent, significantly decreased the cell viability up to 20% of RAW control cells which were treated with the same amount of SNP. However, RAW/SEK1-WT cells were less susceptible to NO induced apoptosis. For a while, caspase-3 like activity in NO treated RAW/SEK1-Kl cells was significantly increased with parallell to apoptotic death rate. However, caspase1 like activity was not affected by NO in any transfectants. The NO induced apoptosis in RAW/SEK1-Kl cells was significantly prevented by the addition of caspase-3 like inhibitor (N-Ac- DEVD-CHO). In addition, the phosphotransferase activity of JNK1 in NO-treated RAW/SEK1-WT is significantly increased, but not in RAW/SEK1-Kl cells. These results suggest that SEK1 may play anti-apoptotic role in RAW cells from NO-induced apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Clone Cells ; Macrophages ; Mortality ; Nitric Oxide* ; Nitroprusside ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases

We report a case of a 41-year-old female patient who suffered from the acute abdominal pain for several hours after eating raw sea-fishes. After the fibergastroscopy and the abdominal C-T scan, the clinicians found a gastric submucosal mass and performed the explolaparotomy to get an wedge of stomach. Sections revealed a larva surrounded by phlegmonous inflammation with intense eosinophilic infiltration in the widened gastic submucosa. The larva presented the characteristics of the Anisakis: two lateral chords with renette cell, thich smooth cuticle and well developed musculature.
Female ; Humans

A few cases of reticulate acropigmentary disorders have been reported in Korea. Most of them were reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura, but not acropigmentation symmetrica of Dohi. A 21 year-old male patient diagnosed as acropigmentation symmetrica of Dohi had been previously treated with various treatment methods unsuccessfully. Re-treatment with the Q-switched alexandrite laser(755 nm, 100nsec) showed a temporary improvement but a relapse of the lesion was experienced again. We describe a case of acropigmentation symmetrica of hi treated with the Q-switched alexandrite laser.
Humans ; Korea ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Male ; Recurrence

It has been clarified that myoepithelial cells contain S-100 protein which is known to be a marker protein of neural tissue. To evaluate the participation of myoepithelial cells in the histogenesis of the salivary gland tumors, normal salivary glands and various salivary gland tumors were stained by immuno-peroxidase method. PAP kits (DAKO Co, USA) for the S-100 protein and the Cytokeratin were used and the following resulting were obtained. Acinic cells of the normal salivery gland were negative for both cytokeratin and S-100 protein. The intercalated duct cells were weakly positive for cytokeratin and S-100 protein. The normal myoepithelial cells scattered around the acini and the intercalated ducts were positive only S-100 protein. In contrast, the striated duct were positive only for cytokeratin. In plemorphic adenoma, the S-100 protein positive cells were found in solid sheets of tumor cells, in chondromyxoid areas and in areas of spindle-cell stroma as well as in the outer layer of the tubular structures. Only the inner lining of the tubules were positive for cytokeratin. In basal cell adenoma, the stromal spindle cells were strongly positive for S-100 protein and the epithelial cells weakly positive. When tubules were present within the epithelial sheets, the inner most lining cells were positive for cytokeratin. The peripheral palisaded tumor cells were negative for both substances. By immunostaining of the adenoid cystic carcinoma, S-100 protein containing cells were found focally scattered independently on the variety of histologies. The lining cells of true cystic structure were positive for cytokeratin. Immunostaining of the mucoepidermoid carcinoma demostrated that the squamous cells and the tubular epithelial cells contained cytokeraitn, whereas only a few intermediate cells were positive for S-100 protein. In Warthin's tumor there were no S-100 protein positive cells, although basally located epithelial cells of the papillae were positive for cytokeratin. These findings suggest that salivary gland tumors other than the Warthin's tumor arise from myoepithelial cells or reserve cells having dual potentiality differentating into myoepithelial and intercalcated duct cells.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise using electric stimulation and biofeedback on maximum pressure of vaginal contraction, vaginal contraction duration and sexual function in women who have had vaginal rejuvenation. METHODS: The research design was a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design study. Participants in this study were women who had vaginal rejuvenation at C obstetrics and gynecology hospital. The 15 participants in the experimental group were given pelvic floor muscle exercise using electric stimulation and biofeedback and the 15 participants in the control group received self pelvic floor muscle exercise. RESULTS: For maximum pressure of vaginal contraction, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase compared to than the control group (t=5.96, p<.001). For vaginal contraction duration, the experimental group also showed a statistically significant increase compared to the control group (t=3.23, p=.003). For women's sexual function, the experimental group showed a significant increase when compared to the control group in total sexual function scores (t=3.41, p=.002). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that pelvic floor muscle exercise with electric stimulation and biofeedback after vaginal rejuvenation is effective in strengthening vaginal contraction pressure, vaginal contraction and that it also positively functions to increase women's sexual function.
Adult ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; *Electric Stimulation ; *Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Contraction/physiology ; Pelvic Floor/*physiology ; Rejuvenation/*physiology ; Sexual Behavior/psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vagina/*physiology/surgery

PURPOSE: Short stature is the most constant finding in Turner syndrome. Short stature in Turner syndrome has lately received considerable attention, mostly because of recent attemp to improve growth by hormonal treatments; growth hormone, oxandrolone, estrogen. The aim of this study was to find out whether growth promoting treatment would improve final height in girls with Turner syndrome. METHODS:Seventy-one girls with the clinical chracteristics Turner syndrome verified by karyotype analysis were entered into this study. The following selection criteria for final adult height were used; Chronological age of more than 14years old, bone age of more than 15years old and growth velocity of less than 0.5cm per 6months. Analysis was performed by means of multiple regression analysis between descriptive data; modality of treatment with oxandrolone and/or estrigen, parental height, karyotype and final adult height. RESULTS: 1) The final adult height of untreated Turner syndrome was 138.9+/-3.9cm. 2)The final adult height in 29 GH treated Turner girls was 143.9+/-6.5cm, significant higher value than 42 GH untreated Turner girls height, 139.8+/-5.2cm(p<0.01). 3) The final height in GH only group and combined group were 141.2+/-6.0cm, 146.2+/-6.2cm, respectively. The combined therapy was more effective than GH therapy(p<0.01). 4) The final height in 32 patients with karyotype of 45,X was 141.6+/-5.6cm, and that of 31 structural aberration group was 140.3+/-6.2cm. There was no significant difference between two groups. But in mosaicism, only numeric abnormalities, the final height 145.9+/-6.1cm was much more higher than other two groups(p<0.05). 5) The final adult height in Turner syndrome was in good correlation with target height. Final adult height(cm)= 1.01*Target height(cm)- 4.97 r=0.51, p<0.05. 6) There was positive correlation between final adult height and height SDS at start GH treatment and negative correlation with age at start GH treatment. The delta height (final height - height at start treatment) correlate with GH treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS:The final adult height in Turner syndrome in a given ethinic or national population varies in the same way as adult height in normal women. Growth hormone therapy may increase final height in Turner syndrome irrespective of ethinic or national difference. Further growth was observed in GH combined with estrogen or oxandrolone.
Adult* ; Estrogens ; Female ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Mosaicism ; Oxandrolone ; Parents ; Patient Selection ; Turner Syndrome*

Edwards syndrome is first introduced by Edwards and characterized by facial anomalies, multiple cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and skeletal malformations. It results from triplication of part or all of chromosome 18 in some or all of the patient's cells. It has an incidence of 1 in 4,500 live births or less and short life expectancy. Recently we experienced a case of 3-day-old female new born infant with this syndrome. Post mortem examination showed progeric face with prominent occiput, large flabby ears, microphthalmia, and micrognathia, bilateral clenched hands with flexion contraction of middle fingers, and bilateral rockerbottom feet. Internal examination revealed horseshoe kidney, esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, two accessory spleens, and multiple cardiac anomalies. A trisomy 18 was confirmed by the cytogenetic study.
Infant ; Male ; Female ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Incidence

PURPOSE: This study was performed to assess the degree of cognitive function of elderly by MMSE-K performances and of that effect. METHOD: The subjects were 185 aged over 65 in Daejeon Metropolitan city. Data were collected through personal interview using the questionnaire from 10 to 31, Jan.. 2003. The measures were Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE-K). RESULTS: The mean score of MMSE-K was 22.60+/-5.39. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was estimated as 48.6% by MMSE-K < or =23 and significantly age, gender, and education effect. The subtype score of MMSE-K were significantly lower in female group in each items : orientation in time and place, attention/calculation, language except registration and recall. And the scores were significantly lower in the older group and non-educated group in the all items of MMSE-K. CONCLUSION: Gender, age, and education showed significant effects on total and subtype MMSE-K score. Cognitive function decline were higher in female, older age group, and non-educated group. Therefore, those three factors are thought to be one of important risk factors for development of dementia, also it is assumed to be affected by other variables than age, gender, education effect.
Aged* ; Dementia ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors

Background: Vulvar dermatoses are common, but numerous obstacles impede their adequate clinical investigation. Many outpatient patients with vulvar dermatoses had inappropriate behavioral habits to manage their diseases. Objective: This study was performed to investigate the clinical aspects of vulvar dermatoses and to evaluate the proper management for vulvar eczema and pruritus vulvae. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records from female patients presenting with vulvar dermatoses in a tertiary hospital and analyzed the age, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and further evaluated treatment and clinical course of vulvar eczema and pruritus vulvae. Results: A total of 163 patients were reviewed in this study. The most frequent type of skin manifestation was macule/patch, with itching as the most common symptom. Lichen simplex chronicus (35, 21.5%) was the most common dermatosis, followed by lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (21, 12.9%) and Behcet’s disease (18, 11.0%). In addition, 57 patients (35.0%) suffered from acute/chronic vulvar eczema or pruritus vulvae and over half of them had been misdiagnosed as fungal infection or had mistreated themselves with multiple self-products. These patients mostly showed good response to hygiene management plus low potency topical corticosteroids. Conclusion In this study, we identified clinically common vulvar dermatoses in a cohort of women visiting our dermatology clinic. We found that patients with vulvar eczema or pruritus vulvae suffered from misdiagnosis and inappropriate self-management sustained patients’ problems. They could be effectively controlled by education of hygiene management with/without steroids. Further prospective investigation with a larger group of patients would provide better understanding of the characteristics of vulvar dermatoses.